Quote:
Originally Posted by Ed_Wischmeyer
(Post 1297618)
There's a whole 'nother part of documenting the wiring when it comes to avionics. Knowing what individual pins and wires are is nice, but it's also nice to know things at a higher level -- such as, serial port #1 from device A goes to serial port #3 on device D, that kind of thing. And similarly, all the input and output port settings on each device, all the autopilot gains, everything.
I documented all that in a spreadsheet, saved it as a pdf and have it on my cell phone. Ed
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Ed makes a good point. Wire labels are great, but without good documentation they don't help much with trouble shooting or revisions. You need up-to-date complete as-built documentation to efficiently find any problems.
While I do have a couple of spreadsheet tables I developed to help me keep track of things while developing my wiring diagrams, they don't help me as much as the actual wiring diagrams in understanding how everything works together.
I have developed my wiring diagrams using PowerPoint in a format that was recommended by Pahan Ranasingha in the AEA "Avionics Installation for Experimental Aircraft" class. Developing the wiring diagrams in this way results in easy to read, fully documented diagrams in a format that prints easily in a set of 8.5" x 11" pages. I can print the set of pages to a pdf file, and then take the file down to my local Office Depot/Staples and get them printed in ledger size (11 x 17) to use in the shop. This larger size allows me to keep track of as-built changes while working, which I can then take home and use to revise my original PowerPoint file to keep it up to date. Once I have completed the work, I will then print the as-builts to a pdf file which I will carry with me on my iPad and cell phone. This way I will always have the diagrams with me without the weight and space required by the paper drawings. If I need the large paper drawings at some distant airport for serious trouble shooting, I can always get them printed at a local office supply store from the pdf files I will carry on my phone.
I'm not saying this is the only way to do your documentation, just that this is what works well for me. If you find a spreadsheet to be easier for you, then by all means use a spreadsheet. Just be sure you keep an up-to-date current set of as-built documentation so that trouble shooting problems doesn't become a nightmare!
One other suggestion - pull in a few spare wires when you are doing your installation. These will become huge time savers when you realize you forgot a wire, or have to replace a damaged wire in the future. They don't take up much space or weight, and are easily installed at the time of your original wire installation.
Regards,
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